Stop playing

#stop#play#transition#routine

Breaking off a fun game is one of the day's hardest shifts, especially when the end comes suddenly and without warning. A picture makes the transition clear and a little softer. See how the support works below.

A child sits among toys inside a red prohibition circle.

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Stop playing

A child sits among toys inside a red prohibition circle.

About this visual support

Stopping play is one of the hardest steps in the whole day. In the middle of something fun the child is completely absorbed, and breaking off means leaving a safe and joyful world for something that may feel duller. When the call also comes suddenly, without warning, the resistance is often large, and a simple transition can become a conflict.

Visual support makes the end predictable rather than sudden. When the child knows in advance that the play ends after a certain time or a certain thing, and can see it on a picture, the brain has time to prepare for the shift. What makes the biggest difference is the warning itself: that the end does not come as a surprise but is something the child could see approaching.

A tip: give a clear warning tied to the picture, for example that we tidy up when the timer rings or after one last round, so the end feels fair and predetermined. Knowing when makes it easier to stop. In the Routined app you can add a timer and a picture of the next step, so the transition from play becomes softer and less charged.